The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-08


opinion in regard to human beings whose lives are
| hanging in the balance. But society deserves
| some consideration in the presence of a crime
| such as that committed by these condem ed.
| and which it would seem they were preparing to
repeat Governor ORlesby has expressed no
| opinion as to what his action will be in regard
| to these criminals. With him lies the power of
pardon or reprieval. II they to die on Fri
day, humanity would dictate that they should
know their fate in time to take decent prepare
tons for the end. Governor Oglesby has had
weeks, even months. in which to examine this
case His delay adds the inhumanity of torture
to what may be a terrible punishment
The Times says: In general it is a very un-
gracious act to interpose in any way between a
person under sentence of death, and the official
to whom an appeal is made on his behalf for ex-
ecutive clemency. The case of the condemned
rule. Petitions for a communication of their SEN
tence have been signed by several citizens of
high standing, who put their appeal solely upon
the ground OF public policy. There are other
petitioners and other signers who are of the
soft-hearted ans soft-headed kind of people, to
whom it appears very dreadful that anybody
should be done to death by law for any offense
whatsoever. There is no use in discussing any
thing with these people. If no others had ap-
pealed to the Governor of Illinois for mercy
there would be 40 occasion for any remarks by
that of supporters of order and friends of civili-
cation. But if those who hold that
Justice and N. policy require that the
cuted, remain silent, Governor Oglesby
will be justified in supposine that they
acauiesce in the appeal made to him to spare
the lives of the murderers. Clearly,
there was never a case that appealed less to
any sentiment of human pity II take the
view that punishment should be retributive, there
was never a filter occasion for the infection by
society of retribution on its enemies. If we take
the view that punishment is exemplary, the case
seems to be equally clear and yet it is in this
view that the execution of the sentence is depre-
Gated by some men of high standing in Chicago,
OF whom the most distinguishes Mr. Trum bull
Mr.. TrumbulPs own connection with the case,
as counsel for the prisoners, has been such, and
much use has been made by them of the
argument that he made professionally and under
his retainer, that his present declaration does
not carry anything like the weight that would
belong to it il be spoke merely a disnterested
citizen. As question of public policy
it seems to us that these petitioners have made
a grave mistake. The question is, will it
pay treat a murderer who calls him self an
Anarchist differently from q m urderer who makes
no such pretension2 It it be understood that
either by courts or by Governors, as in some way
more excusable than the same crimes whom not
committed by Anarchists, will have gone
some distance toward putting Anarchy the
footing Of religious BELIEF, though we DO not
allow religious belief to excuse illegal acts.
The real question is whether other Anarchists
will be m ore effectually deferred from commit
ting other murders if they have reason to be-
lieve that they will be sent to prison. if they
have reason to believe that they will be hanged
by the neck until they are dead. To ask this
question is to answer it. It is noteworthy that
the police of Chicago are profoundly Disguised
with the efforts to procure Communication of the
sentence of death. They believe that their lives
will be il more danger if the lives of their muir
derers are spared than il they taken. OF
this they are very good judges. It is to be
hoped, and believed. that Governor Oglesby will
refuse to intercede to save the lives of men who
are as dangerous to any community as equal
number of mad dogs"
The Philadelphia Press says: "If mercy is
permitted to season justice in the of the
Chicago Anarchists. it should be to make peni-
tents and not heroes of its receivers. The efforts
which are making in behalf of the condemned
murderers look more like an attempt to intimi-
date the law and its officers than like at
tempt to win executive clemency"
The Philadelphia Times says: "a Chicagoan
wants the sentence of the Anarchist murderers
com muted because their crime is not a case of
ordinary physical larceny but he is thief all
tue same. Has it come to this that only ordin-
airy crimes are to be punished. while monstros-
tiles are TO be condoned and admired?"
Under the head of Let the Law take its Course"
the Philadelphia Ledger says: But few traits
are more characteristic of araiably weak human
nature than that of few persons permitting
their tender sentiment for condemned criminals
to interfere and defeat that justice which is due
for the protection of the whole community.
There can be no doubt that large ajbrity OF
those who do not interfere with the proper
course of justice are as tender-hearted
those who do. but the mercy of these is
tempered with wisdom by consideration for
the injured and outraged for the suffering and
and fo- what is necessary for tie vindcaton Of
aw and protection to society They mer-
,iful. but they are not feeble minded workers Of |
mischief. These last. however, are not weak |
throughout. They feeble in their sense of |
.uty to all others in the community; but at |
times they show extraordinary persistence and |
activity in secondine the efforts Of wicked and |
dangerous men. Considerable numbers Of |
uch persons are being enlisted now in the serv- |
ce of the condemned Anarchist assassins and |
{ looks if they making q perous i'm |
preston some quarters. This almost /
variable sequence to the laws delay, and to
ak administration of the law. 1t is with this,
8 it is with vice, which, first abhorred is next |
injured, then pitied, then embraced
Never, except during the great rebellion, has
here been so critical juncture that de-
lending on the firmness of the Governor of
illinois to the upholoing of the law"
Commenting on the appeal of the condemned
Anarchists, the Herald saws, editorially, this
morning: eff from the first the condemned
Anarchists of Chicago had taken the tone which
ave addressed to the Governor of Illinois |
ublic opinion would now be much more lenient
a judging of them, but they have been con-
emned because of their unwilingness to con-
orm to the standard that they set for
themselves"
The Boston Post saws: 1.-THE expressions of
he appeals of the Anarchists are undoubtedly
incere SO far as they show that at least the
laymarket murderers have reached full under
tanding of their desperate situation Beyond
his there is nothing The discovery of the col
seton OF bombs in the cells of the men yester-
ay is a sufficient commentary upon the SINGER
y of these professions of harmless purpose"
ID